Genius Club

Chapter 520: Master of Schemes

This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation

Lin Xian sat still on the high blackwood chair atop the platform, his expression calm. But inside, he was utterly caught off guard by what was unfolding before him.

He knew all too well.

If Einstein was willing to sacrifice his life to activate the Genius Club’s meeting system, it could only mean one thing: he believed this matter was of utmost importance and urgency.

Particularly since, before his demise, Einstein had been desperately trying to communicate something critical, only to be thwarted by the constraints of forced evasion.

Clearly, whatever he couldn’t say back then would surface in the upcoming meeting.

But Lin Xian had never anticipated this...

He thought no one would show up at the meeting. Instead, not only did Newton arrive in time, but he also swapped seats to occupy Copernicus’ position—and astonishingly admitted that he was Copernicus all along!

The development was too sudden.

And filled with riddles.

First, one clear premise could be established:

1. Newton and Copernicus are unquestionably not the same person.

The Genius Club had originally operated through in-person meetings. Copernicus, as Member No. 2, and Newton, as Member No. 3, had attended these gatherings for years.

Even though everyone wore masks, it was easy to distinguish individuals through physical traits like body shape, voice, and gait. Senior members Galileo and Da Vinci had attended dozens of these meetings. They were unequivocally certain that Copernicus and Newton were two entirely different people.

Moreover, Newton and Copernicus had always been at odds—bitter rivals. Newton had, on multiple occasions, cursed his inability to put a bullet through Copernicus.

And then there was the decisive evidence.

Even with their masks on, no one could fool Einstein. As the founder and president of the Genius Club, he wouldn’t have tolerated any member playing dual roles. The rules were the rules, and no one would dare defy them under Einstein’s watchful gaze.

Second, another premise became evident:

2. Both Copernicus and Newton knew Lin Xian’s true identity.

When Lin Xian went to Switzerland with Justk and Angelica to assassinate Copernicus, the latter had called out his name directly.

Lin Xian had long been prepared for this eventuality. After all, his brazen campaign against the Seven Deadly Sins and his repeated thwarting of Copernicus’ plans during the battles with Yu Xi had made him an obvious suspect.

No wonder...

No wonder killing Copernicus back then had felt “off.”

It turned out the truth was precisely as he had suspected...

“There really are two Copernicuses in this world!”

This realization had dawned on Lin Xian when he woke from his hibernation to find technological progress at a standstill.

He had even entertained the possibility that Copernicus wasn’t a single person but a collective, perhaps an organization with successors carrying on his legacy.

But he had never imagined this:

Newton, his lifelong rival, was actually the second Copernicus!

This revelation explained why Newton also knew Lin Xian’s true identity.

As allies from the start, Newton and Copernicus must have shared intelligence.

Perhaps... during that fateful encounter in Switzerland, while Lin Xian thought he was outsmarting Copernicus, Copernicus had been laying a trap for him.

The elderly Copernicus, near the end of his natural life, likely knew that even entering a hibernation chamber wouldn’t buy him much time.

Could it be that the seemingly effortless assassination was Copernicus’ way of leaving behind critical intel for Newton?

This theory would have to wait for confirmation.

For now, Lin Xian swiftly organized his thoughts, focusing on a third premise:

3. Copernicus and Newton, as founding members of the Genius Club, must know deeper secrets.

“But as Copernicus’ successor and the one carrying out the murders, you could pose the question without rejection, securing a truthful response.”

“It seems you differ from Copernicus in your methods and timing for killing. You’re less rigid, less bound by rules. All you needed to do was decide then and there to never kill at precisely 12:42 a.m. again—perhaps choosing random times instead. That would ensure no more deaths at that exact time.”

“With that, Einstein could truthfully declare that no scientist would die at 12:42 a.m. by human causes again.”

“You and Einstein both knew what that answer signified. It meant you had manipulated the question, shaping both the inquiry and its answer to deceive everyone. It made the others believe Copernicus was dead for good and that no further murders would occur.”

“You used the death of a frail old man to bury ‘Copernicus’ in the annals of history. Your plan was remarkably successful.”

...

As Lin Xian’s words echoed through the room, Newton, seated in Copernicus’ chair, maintained a calm smile.

Lin Xian studied Newton’s face—a fully virtual projection. The area from his forehead to below his nose was shrouded in deep darkness, leaving no details of his eyes visible. Lin Xian could only infer Newton’s gaze by tracking the direction of his head.

“Impressive analysis, Rhine,” Newton remarked with a dry chuckle. “It’s been centuries since that meeting, yet you’ve managed to recall it so clearly. It shows your attention to detail. But now... it’s too late.”

“Although I’m curious how you managed to find Einstein, I have to admit, your capabilities are admirable. However, do you honestly believe killing Einstein could change anything? No... quite the opposite. Your actions only serve to make the worldline more stable.”

But Lin Xian merely shook his head lightly.

“Newton, have you ever considered that the future Einstein foresaw might have been a lie?”

“You’re drenched in blood, so I won’t waste time trying to lead you back to the light. But I am curious—among all of you so-called geniuses, did none of you ever question the validity of his vision?”

“From our last meeting until now, 200 years have passed. Thanks to you, humanity has squeezed every last drop from Moore’s Law, and technological advancement in cutting-edge fields has all but stagnated.”

“In such a state, how can you still believe in a perfect future for humanity? Isn’t there an inherent contradiction between your actions and the future you claim to desire?”

Newton crossed his legs and let out a meaningful chuckle. “You wouldn’t understand, Rhine. You joined the Genius Club too late. You have no idea about the real crisis humanity is destined to face... If you don’t know the right question, you’ll never find the correct answer.”

“And how can you be so certain that you’re right?” Lin Xian countered.

“Isn’t your version of right and wrong also derived from Einstein’s information? Perhaps you should reconsider—if Einstein died today and I’m sitting in his chair, it proves his vision of the future was flawed. If he was wrong, then how can you be right?”

Newton snorted dismissively. “Enough, Rhine. You won’t extract any intelligence from me. I’ve lived far too long for you to play mind games with me.”

“No need for you to say a word.” Lin Xian remained unfazed. “Even if you don’t, I can make my guesses. But don’t think this is over between us.”

“I’ve lost many friends to you and your schemes. For years, I’ve been haunted by the thought that I didn’t completely destroy Copernicus, that I didn’t fully avenge them.”

“So, thank you for showing up to this meeting. Now... I can finally visit their graves with a clear conscience.”

Newton burst into laughter. “Such bold words, Rhine. Are you really planning to kill every member of the Genius Club from top to bottom?”

“If that’s your plan, then killing Einstein was a mistake. He was the only one who could track me down. By removing him, you’ve eliminated my only real threat. For that, I should thank you.”

“But... if you really want to find me, feel free to try.”

Newton leaned on the arms of his chair as he stood up, giving Lin Xian a casual wave. “I’m not getting any younger, Rhine. Don’t keep me waiting too long.”

“How could I?” Lin Xian replied with a light laugh. “There are plenty of people who can solve the universal constant, Newton. You wouldn’t abandon your pursuit so soon, would you?”

“Oh?” Newton’s smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. “It seems you really do know something. Care to share a clue about this mathematician?”

“Of course.” Lin Xian straightened in his chair.

“But first, I’m curious. Copernicus once said he would never harm innocent children. He even took it upon himself to raise orphans left parentless by his murders.”

“And you, Newton? If a car accident could kill both a mathematician and his young granddaughter at once... what would you choose?”

Newton spread his hands nonchalantly. “Do you even need to ask? You’ve already said it yourself—I’m not like Copernicus. His kindness and obsession with ceremony... they were all unnecessary formalities to me.”

“Is that so? How convenient.”

Lin Xian stood from the blackwood chair, his eyes fixed on the man below the steps. “Take care of yourself, Newton.”

“If I don’t get to kill you with my own hands... it will be a profound regret.”